Actuals are coming!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Dorset
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I've spent a reasonable amount of time operating on both.
I'm now operating more in a Proj Mgr role in an ex-MOD Agency and we are on actuals - surprisingly enough, everyone tends towards staying in expensive hotels, eating better food. T&S costs have risen, but the beancounters are happier because they have a paper trail. The time spent completing claim forms is not visible to them, so that is not assessed as part of the cost of a trip. Major complaint from myself (and others) is that all visible costs associated with a trip are reimbursed. There are other costs associated directly with me being away (such as kennelling for dogs, cattery for cats, babysitter for junior on nights that the wife goes out whilst I'm away) that are not reimusible and I am thus out of pocket. Beancounters in civvy company are happy, because they can reclaim VAT on duty paid items with receipts.
When on rates, I lived for almost 2 years in Canada and paid for at least half a PPL out of the excess that I made. I was happy, company were happy, as they could predict very accurately costs for my time there. When I've arranged detachments of guys overseas, I've been able to accurately forecast budgets with negligible error (quite important when it's 15 guys in the US for 3 months on a firm price task!).
Guys are much happier travelling on fixed rates (so long as there is some slack), as it enables them to live how they want and covers the incidentals of being away.
I'm now operating more in a Proj Mgr role in an ex-MOD Agency and we are on actuals - surprisingly enough, everyone tends towards staying in expensive hotels, eating better food. T&S costs have risen, but the beancounters are happier because they have a paper trail. The time spent completing claim forms is not visible to them, so that is not assessed as part of the cost of a trip. Major complaint from myself (and others) is that all visible costs associated with a trip are reimbursed. There are other costs associated directly with me being away (such as kennelling for dogs, cattery for cats, babysitter for junior on nights that the wife goes out whilst I'm away) that are not reimusible and I am thus out of pocket. Beancounters in civvy company are happy, because they can reclaim VAT on duty paid items with receipts.
When on rates, I lived for almost 2 years in Canada and paid for at least half a PPL out of the excess that I made. I was happy, company were happy, as they could predict very accurately costs for my time there. When I've arranged detachments of guys overseas, I've been able to accurately forecast budgets with negligible error (quite important when it's 15 guys in the US for 3 months on a firm price task!).
Guys are much happier travelling on fixed rates (so long as there is some slack), as it enables them to live how they want and covers the incidentals of being away.
Join Date: May 2002
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I can see it from both sides, as a MOD civil servant and a reservist I get to use both systems. PersonallyI prefer the actuals, but only becuase the new HRMS system means we get repaid within 3 working days. The paper system is a lot lot longer and the forces don't get travelling time either
BEags,
I too, recently ended up paying 'extra' at Dakar. However, these days they are underhanded enough to rip you off at the last possible moment because they know it would cost us more to delay the T/O. However, it has been noticed.....
I too, recently ended up paying 'extra' at Dakar. However, these days they are underhanded enough to rip you off at the last possible moment because they know it would cost us more to delay the T/O. However, it has been noticed.....
Join Date: Jul 2002
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First surely the paper trail comes from the accountants who decide what the rate will be for individual countries???
Secondly the BIGGEST problem I see with actuals is that it relies on US to have money in our bank account, fine for 1 or 2 nights but not really on an unexpected 2 or 3 week det or cse at the end of a perhaps expensive month. What about our frankly underpaid techies???? It just smacks of the MOD getting an interest free loan (that they may argue about repaying promptly) from their subordinates (isn't there a QR????)
Secondly the BIGGEST problem I see with actuals is that it relies on US to have money in our bank account, fine for 1 or 2 nights but not really on an unexpected 2 or 3 week det or cse at the end of a perhaps expensive month. What about our frankly underpaid techies???? It just smacks of the MOD getting an interest free loan (that they may argue about repaying promptly) from their subordinates (isn't there a QR????)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Falmouth
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Good. Then if thats the case and if all the promises Ive been getting from the pen pushers are correct, we have nothing to worry about. Apparently the system is fool (jack) proof and will work a treat.
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Secondly the BIGGEST problem I see with actuals is that it relies on US to have money in our bank account, fine for 1 or 2 nights but not really on an unexpected 2 or 3 week det or cse at the end of a perhaps expensive month. What about our frankly underpaid techies???? It just smacks of the MOD getting an interest free loan (that they may argue about repaying promptly) from their subordinates (isn't there a QR????)
Unbelievably incompetent system.
Join Date: May 2004
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Surely they should offer you guys a corporate AmEx or Diners card to cover those as a result of those situations?
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Gentlemen, I can't let this thread go without sharing this, it's been lurking in the back of one of my logbooks for ages.
DE ????WC 1335 27??75
TO: RBLOYR/ HQ 1 GP/ RBLOYF/ RAF LYNEHAM
BT
UNCLAS
SIC
SIC IUQ/UFA
FROM MOV 5A (RAF) FOR SQN LDR TASKING HQ 1GP AND CAPTAIN OF ASCOT 4875. ALL FLIGHTS DEPARTING FROM KHATMANDU ON 3 OCT MAY BE SUBJECT TO SACRIFICIAL CEREMONY INVOLVING BEHEADING A GOAT. THE DEFENCE ATTACHE WILL BUY GOAT AND HIRE LOCAL PRIEST BUT BE PREPARED TO PAY POUNDS STERLING 40 FROM IMPREST TO COVER COST.
LXXIV
DE ????WC 1335 27??75
TO: RBLOYR/ HQ 1 GP/ RBLOYF/ RAF LYNEHAM
BT
UNCLAS
SIC
SIC IUQ/UFA
FROM MOV 5A (RAF) FOR SQN LDR TASKING HQ 1GP AND CAPTAIN OF ASCOT 4875. ALL FLIGHTS DEPARTING FROM KHATMANDU ON 3 OCT MAY BE SUBJECT TO SACRIFICIAL CEREMONY INVOLVING BEHEADING A GOAT. THE DEFENCE ATTACHE WILL BUY GOAT AND HIRE LOCAL PRIEST BUT BE PREPARED TO PAY POUNDS STERLING 40 FROM IMPREST TO COVER COST.
LXXIV
